Choral Festival: A First in Nepal By Shona Berque, Teacher of Secondary Music, The British School Kathmandu
The Choral Festival (Percussion Cluster) was hosted by The British School Kathmandu, in Nepal, on 13-17 September 2017. The British School Kathmandu (TBS) made musical history by hosting its first FOBISIA Choral Festival in September 2017. As a school, we were delighted to host students from The British International School Shanghai Puxi (BISSPX) and local guests Kathmandu International Study Centre (KISC) alongside our own students from TBS. Thirty-one students from Years 5 to 8 took part in three days of intensive rehearsals, practising a selection of choral repertoire based around the theme of ‘Kindness’. There was also an opportunity for all students to learn traditional Nepali music and learn to play traditional Nepalese instruments such as the Basuri (Nepali flute) and the Madal (Nepali drum).
The final day, after the exhilaration of the final concert, an alfresco Gala Dinner, was enjoyed by all. More singing, games and enjoyment of each other's company occured, before the bittersweet goodbyes to departing schools. A big thank you to BISSPX for travelling to Kathmandu and helping make this such an exciting occasion. I am sure this festival will mark the beginning of many FOBISIA music festivals to take place at TBS in the future.
Whilst the skills, confidence and repertoire grew in strength, the friendships between all the students did as well. This was cemented by the various activities that were on offer, but most notably during a lively Karaoke and BBQ evening at TBS. From ‘Uptown Funk’ (complete with break dancing) to ‘Shake It Off’, no pop song went amiss! However, the final concert was approaching and students were straight back to rehearsals the following morning with final technical and dress rehearsals. The effort and commitment shown by the students over the festival could be seen in the excellent concert performance they gave on the final day. With students introducing the concert and each choral performance, it was clear students took tremendous pride in the work they had produced. The repertoire included Karl Jenkins ‘Adiemus’, Pharrell Williams ‘Happy’, ‘How Far I’ll Go’ from Disney’s film Moana, Spanish inspired song ‘Cantar!’ and finally Gary Barlow’s ‘Sing’. It was fantastic to hear the high quality of singing from all the students and to see them enjoying the variety of music.
THE FOBISIAN: February 2018, Term 2, Issue 26
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